Tally-HO!

Well folks! This is it. We are winding down from our awe-inspiring adventure. Traveling through Beautiful British Columbia, the larger than life Yukon Territory and Alaska the last frontier was an experience that will never be forgotten.

For 74 days we called our 32 foot Allegro home. The wheels on the motor home rolled 6542 miles with another 5048 miles on the Honda tow car. Our eyed feasted upon the glory of this astounding place we call earth.

We dreamed big and conquered a few misgivings that bestowed us.

It didn't cost a dime to launch our kayaks, yet it cost $3860 in gas for the motor home alone to get to the destinations. We didn't keep a tally on the gas consumed in the Honda.

We always attempted to involve the dogs

and we made quite the effort to eat healthy. Thank you Chris and Steve for the experience of my life, fishing combat style on the famous Kenai River! I remain flabergasted at the amount of salmon and fishers lining the crowded bank. My heart will forever smile.

We carried 3 digital cameras, each employing  different activities for there use. Total pictures clicked, 6034! With millions taken with our eyes and mind.

Countless experiences....

We are now safely home, anxious to see all of our friends and pondering our next adventure.

I want to thank all of our followers. For your patience when we were unable to blog, for your comments that kept us inspired and for your faithful interest which made blogging a pleasure to share with you. Good wishes to you all!

Hands in the cookie jar

Just when we think that we are out of "bear country" we round the corner to find one grazing along the road. This fella just looked at me as if to say, "what cha' look'in at? Never seen a bear before?"

I dared to step in front of this hungry red fox, then I abruptly placed my hindquarters back in the car!

 We're in Central British Columbia feeling like the coast is clear.  No more frost heaves, pavement breaks, expantion cracks, dirt, gravel or tar roads!  It's too soon to venture back to the lower 48, so we took a left turn and ended up in Fort St. James. I think we'll settle here for a bit. Maybe wait out the winter....

...and learn how to dry fish to sustain our hearty desire for food. But after we learned how arduous the work was we aborted that foolish idea! Heck, we're not into working anymore!

We'll just provide for ourselves at the trading post.

Nancy found the bakehouse and proceeded to assist with making cookies in the pot bellied wood stove. Hurry up! Get out of there! Here comes the baker! Don't get caught with your hands in the cookie jar!

We dropped our intentions and skedaddled around the corner looking as innocent as we could before the master cook arrived.

"Have YOU been in my kitchen?"

RUN....here she comes! Let's get outa here!

Let's go hide in this building! She'll never find us there! We secretly stayed put and out of sight until the sun set behind the fort.  Finally crawling out to safety!

New Beginnings

OK, crazy picture, BUT, look closely between the fore-trees and the recreational vehicles on the road. We had a lengthy delay while the toilers labored for a fair days wage.

Hold on! We are about to ingress another port town....this one...the smallest of all!

WELCOME! You have just arrived in Stewart, British Columbia! It looks to dwell at least one resident....or is that a tourist too?

Very nearly, but not entirely, buildings were not occupied and devoid of contents potraying a ghostly nature as the wooden structures cried out with history.

Even the slow moving tide ebbed and flowed, rising and falling like a breathing creature.

This hotel once thrived with laughter and rising spirits as people gathered to bunk down after a grueling day of lumber jacking and mining.

Need provisions? This is your only choice. Sure, it has essentials....and that is all! Note the grocery carts on the roof.....you won't need them inside!

Happy Birthday Dean!

This is a far cry from the house boats on Lake Union and the Montlake cut!

Bears are a big deal in Stewart and Hyder. Everyday, sometimes several times a day, we crossed the border to view bears who frequented the nearby salmon spawning springs. We happenstanced upon the annual celebration of the returning bears. Even the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were conducting their functions required by their occupations. I want that assignment! I think I would look good in red.....

.....or do I???

We ended this fabulous day with 2 people that we have been hop-scotching with all across Alaska and Canada. If you ever could meet Michael ad Ellie you would find them enchanting. Their charm captivated us from the very moment we met. Here we part, each going seperate ways with promises to never bequeth in spirit or flesh. New friends and new beginnings!

Boya Lake

This is our first "free" camping experience along our journey. After disembarking the ferry at Skagway we stocked necessary provisions and hurried along our way, knowing that in 44 miles, at the top of the pass we would encounter another border crossing. By now we knew the drill, "Do you have any weapons? Why are entering Canada? How long will you be here? Are you carring over $10K?   How many people are in the vehicle? May I see your passports?" Never in our wildest dreams did we think that this shared meeting would encompass intense microscopic drilling! "When is the last time you entered Canada prior to this? Do you have any souvenirs, keepsakes or mementos? Are you carring any waepons? Do you own a weapon? Where is your weapon? Do you have a safe for your weapon?  Do you have any alchohol? (really, do you need to ask ME that question?) How much and where did you purchase it? Do you have any tobacco products? How long have you lived in Washington?  The deliberate shakedown unsuccessfully favored the immigration official desired outcome and after more time then desired we were summoned forward.

The further south we travel the better the road conditions. The clouds and rain we lived through in Haines opened to fancy clear skies as the miles dwindled.

Ah, here we are! Boya Lake Provencial Park in British Columbia!

The crystal blue water reflects aqua marine, clear, blue and turquois in an ever changing condition.

Meet Seth. He is 13 years old and his Native First Nation cares for the park and facilities. He also works in the park collecting income for his future. Seth knows much more about the land and his culture and loved sharing it with us. He offered himself as a volunteer wilderness guide when he discovered that our intention to hike around the lake to find a beaver house and dam. No two old ladies ought to be out and about in bear country without some sort of protection!

See, as Seth showed Nancy the bear claws in the bark of the tree! That was a mighty tall bear! He skillfully guided us to the beaver dam pointing out bear and mosse prints along the way. He showed us squirrel houses perched upon small branches, shaved branches knawed upon by the beavers and even places that was obvious bears had been sleeping at some recient time. He was truly an amazing guide! 

The picture says it all.....

So here is a beaver house. They are quite the architects of nature. The water is so clear that you can see the size of the timber they use to support the mound of branches and twigs! After they have the house constructed they begin bringing in stems of foliage and vegatation under the water,storing them in a unit built specifically for winter meals. 

The water casts back mirrored images as the rolling mass of clouds billowed against the surrounding hills.

This is a view from our campsite!

We had a fantastic time at Boya Lake. If ever you are in northern B.C. you really ought to see this awe inspiring region with your own eyes. It is honestly a remarkable place to see.

Hungry no more

With every turn our eyes are paralyzed with astonishment. It is easy to become dizzy examining the surroundings.

The road paralleled the migration route of the Trumpeter Swans, where thousands nest comfortably with their young.

Here we are! This is what Haines, Alaska looks like from the distance. The highway completes it's pavement here. The mountains rise above this town like pinnacles protecting high dignitary. 

The view from our campsite on low tide. Later, we will take you around the corner to the left in search of wildlife, but before that let's jump in the car and try our hands at gold mining.

Have any of you ever watched the television program "Gold Rush?" Well it just so happens that one of the mines they film is right here in Haines! Yep! Let's go take a look!

Nine miles back, deep into the hills....the road looks alright now, but soon it becomes rough to navigate.

All that way and this is what we got to see! We could hear the squeeking and clattering of the big equipment! It was enough to drive me crazy! I wanted to sneak through the woods for a peek, but my better judgement repressed my thoughts fearing a buckshot or two!

Cruise ships are a constant in this harbor. They only dock once a week on Wednesday in Haines but go into Skagway daily! Ok, lets go find some animals!

It didn't take long before we spotted this beast. It created quite the animal jam! To the right of this picture runs a river that is chocked full of returning pink salmon. A treat full of protein this carnivorous animal requires in its diet.

The bear carefully selects which fisherman it will demand to retreat.

Meandering along the river in search for the easiest path. Yes, they are lazy animals.

Stay in the car and view with caution. The keys remained in the ignition and in the battery position just in case it would be necessary to roll up the window!

The classic eagle shot. Did you know that they have precision sight and can see over one mile away? This one is about to go in for kill.

WOW! It took a salmon and ripped it apart in moments! It has a powerful grip on the head of the salmon and is about to take it away to eat in solitude.

There it goes! Entrails lagging behind, hungry no more...